How to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites?

A proper set of aligned teeth does not just contribute to physical appearance but also helps in reducing other health impacts due to misaligned teeth. Crossbite is a dental condition or abnormality where the teeth don’t line up properly when the mouth is closed. The condition can be easily identified when the upper teeth easily fit behind your lower teeth. Crossbites can be painful and a dental professional can easily fix them through some orthodontist procedures. Let’s check out how to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites.

Causes and Symptoms

The reason for crossbites can be dental causes or skeletal causes. It can also be:

Dental and skeletal causes can be mainly due to genetics. When other members of the family have had a crossbite before, there are higher chances that future generations will also come across a similar condition of crossbite.

Another reason for a crossbite can be circumstantial factors like when the tooth doesn’t fall off during the primary years or delay in the formation of new teeth which may give rise to crossbites. Childhood habits like mouth breathing and sucking of thumb into the former years can also lead to crossbites.

• Tongue thrust while swallowing
• Missing teeth
• Small jaw
• Teeth big enough to cause improper alignment

Having a crossbite can cause more than just the physical appearance, it can also cause:

• Constant pain in the jaw or teeth
• Sleep apnea
• Tooth decay
• Frequent headaches
• Speech impairment
• Pain in the neck, jaw, and shoulder
• Receding gums
• Enamel breakdown
• Unbalanced facial features
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
• Uneven jaw growth
• Jaw shifting to one side

Why do Crossbites Need Treatment?

If the crossbites are left untreated, it might cause further problems in the future. Along with the issues like grinding of the teeth, unusual wear off of the enamel, loss of teeth, and it can also cause headaches and muscle tension due to the overstress on the jaws. In severe cases, it can also cause irregular face and jaw alignment. The stress caused while chewing with crossbite can also be the reason for impending neck, shoulder, and headaches. Young people might be the most affected due to crossbite as a misaligned bite can lead to a permanent deviation in the structure of the mouth which can elevate speech impediments and deconstruction of the alignment of the entire face. It is beneficial to know how to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites before approaching an orthodontist.

How to Treat Crossbites?

The treatment for crossbite can be only conducted by a licensed orthodontist. The orthodontist will instruct the patient for some x-rays, which help in determining the exact condition of the teeth structure. Accordingly, he will be able to suggest the needed treatment that will suit your budget and lifestyle preferences.

let us take a look at the different ways and how to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites.

• Braces

Braces come in two kinds: metal and ceramic. Both these kinds of braces are effective in treating crossbites. Brackets are used for each tooth and then they are connected using a wire. An experienced orthodontist moves the tooth along to fall into its correct position or alignment by moving the misaligned teeth and making the correct bite. Braces are the most effective and chosen option when it comes to aligning a crossbite tooth into its normal form. It is used by people of every age and is the most affordable treatment for crossbites.

• Clear Brace Treatment

Clear brace treatment uses invisible braces, and it is an extremely reliable process when done by a professional and experienced orthodontist. They have a huge approval in the market because of their discreet and subtle appearance. These clear aligners are custom-made for each patient according to their condition and requirement. A 3D modeling is done by the orthodontist to make customized Invisalign clear aligners for proper positioning of the tooth. These aligners are easily removable while eating or drinking as they are invisible to appearance; they will not affect your appearance in any way.

Read to Know: Clear Aligners and Its Benefits

• Expanders

Expanders are a kind of orthodontic tool which is used by children to expand their upper arch. It will help in clearing up the posterior crossbite. This is placed on young children as their bones, teeth, and palate are still in the development stage. It is easier to correct the crossbite in the growth stage and help with healthy redirection. Expanders help in getting a room for the growth of teeth.

• Oral Surgery

Oral surgery might be required in extreme cases where the above-mentioned treatments are not possible. The surgery can be suggested by the orthodontist either at the start of the treatment or during the treatment for crossbite. The treatment will continue even after the oral surgery, and the orthodontist will give a retainer to protect the results of the surgery.

• Retainers

Retainers are a post-treatment orthodontic tool that helps to protect and keep firm the results of the orthodontic treatment. The retainers are given to wear at night to properly position the teeth which were corrected during the treatment. Wearing the retainers for the time instructed by the orthodontist will help in getting the long-term effects of the orthodontic treatment.

Crossbites may not be life-threatening but can cause discomfort in the long run. And, It’s necessary to be aware of how to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites. It will be always advised to get the treatment at an early age which will help in the alignment process right from the start.

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